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Wildlife and birdlife
Tanzania has the largest concentration and diversity of animals in Africa, and there are over 1,100 bird species to spot in the country. It also proudly showcases some of the world’s most treasured national parks and game reserves, including the Selous Game Reserve, which is the world’s largest game reserve. This is home to more than 120,000 elephants, 160,000 buffaloes and about 2,000 rhinos. Furthermore, the Selous boasts Africa’s greatest concentration of hippos, crocodiles and wild dogs.
The Ngorongoro Crater is another of the most pristine wildernesses on earth, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site thanks to being the world’s largest intact crater. On the crater floor, grassland blends into swamps, lakes, rivers, woodland and mountains – all a haven for wildlife, including the largest predator population in Africa. The Big Five even call this volcanic crater home, and it is one of the last wild refuges for the black rhino.
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The Maasai people
The ancient nomadic stewards of much of the Rift Valley region are the iconic Maasai. They are among the most well-known local tribes due to living in traditional Maasai villages near the Serengeti National Park and Ngorongoro Conservation Area. They are most recognized by their distinctive customs and dress; their stunning bright robes, beaded jewelry and remarkable height have fascinated visitors for decades.
Many Maasai continue to live as they have for centuries, in interconnected communities without any electricity, cell phones, internet or running water. Traditional Maasai life centres around their cattle, which is their primary source of food. The measure of a man’s wealth can be measured in terms of cattle and children.
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The wildebeest migration
The Serengeti National Park is Tanzania’s oldest and most popular park, and the Serengeti migration has also recently been proclaimed as one of the Seven Natural Wonders of Africa. This annual event is when visitors can bear witness to some six million hooves pounding across the open plains, as more than 200,000 zebra and 300,000 Thomson’s gazelle join the wildebeests’ trek for fresh grazing. Yet even when the migration is quiet, the Serengeti offers some of the most scintillating game viewing in Africa.
Much of the annual migration cycle takes place in Tanzania, from the frenzied crossing of the Mara River in the north of the Serengeti in August and September, to a two-month bout of birthing in February and March on the Ndutu Plains, before the 1,000km pilgrimage begins again.
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Mount Kilimanjaro
Mount Kilimanjaro with its three volcanic cones – Kibo, Mawenzi and Shira – is a dormant volcano in Tanzania. It rises approximately 4,877 meters (16,001 ft.) from its base, to 5,895 meters (19,341 ft.) above sea level. The mountain is part of the Kilimanjaro National Park and is a major climbing destination.
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Zanzibar
Zanzibar is an archipelago of historic Indian Ocean islands, awash with atmosphere, intrigue, and idyllic beach experiences. Zanzibar has a wide range of accommodation choices and plenty to see, do and discover. It is the perfect place to relax after an exhilarating safari or climbing Kilimanjaro. It is also a glorious paradise for honeymooners or a romantic holiday getaway. As the site of Sultans’ palaces and renowned for its spice plantations, the little island republic of Zanzibar is a must-see for any visitor to Tanzania.
Visitors to Zanzibar tend to arrive and leave via Stone Town, the island capital and an historic hub for commerce and culture. This ancient centre was the seat of the Sultans, whose crumbling palaces, bath houses and mosques are a legacy of this opulent and vibrant time at the heart of the gold trade. Stone Town remains a wonderful place to spend a night or two, getting lost among the ancient buildings and labyrinthine streets, eating fresh fish on the sea front, and breathing in the sights, sounds and smells of a truly Swahili centre.
Famous for its glorious white sand beaches and remarkable coral reefs, Zanzibar is a beach and sun lover’s paradise where you can while away your days by watching the white dhow sails cruising across the blue waters of the Indian Ocean.
Content sourced from: https://africageographic.com/blog/5-reasons-visit-tanzania/
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